Korea confirms 40 more flu cases

Korea`s health authorities said Tuesday that they have confirmed an additional 40 cases of influenza A, bringing the nation`s total number of flu infections to 535, according to Yonhap News.



The patients, including 24 Indonesians, tested positive for the H1N1 virus after showing flu-like symptoms upon their recent arrival here, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said in an e-mailed statement.



The Indonesians came to South Korea last week to participate in a world choir competition held in the country`s southeast. Five Korean nationals were infected via contact with the foreign choir members. The remaining schedule for the event has been called off, organizers said.



Korea has been relatively insulated from the global pandemic, which has claimed hundreds of lives since the disease was first identified in April. No deaths have been reported here.



Concerns still linger that the spread of the disease could be picking up pace as the number of reported infections is rising fast.



The government earlier said that it plans to spend nearly 200 billion won ($157 million) to secure enough vaccine to treat 13 million people for the new flu.



Of the total flu cases, 410 are inbound travelers. As of Tuesday morning, 173 people remained in isolation for treatment with the remainder having been sent home after showing no further symptoms, according to the ministry.